This was so simple, yet so delightful. I've come to see Steiger in a more encompassing light and look forward to the Borgnine movie remake. The reviewer below pointing out Steiger's pathos portrayal and Borgnine's jovial Marty character, me, a sap, I'll probably enjoy Borg's very much but be more partial to the empathy of Steiger's Marty.

This is pure art. Early live TV dramas, when they were bad, were beyond awful. But when they were good they were fabulous. This is one of the good ones. Delbert Mann, the Director, had the luxury of rehearsal and blocking time, and the good fortune to have a terrific cast. Don't forget that Steiger had yet to be discovered (see Tales Of Tomorrow "The Window"). On The Waterfront had not yet been produced.
This does beat out the movie version on many levels, not the least of which is Steiger's performance. Where Borgnine played for laughs, Steiger correctly reaches for pathos.
And Nancy Marchand was correctly cast here, no glamor girl she. In the movie the "dog" is actually kind of pretty. What was Hollywood thinking? But what do I know? The movie won big at the Oscars (1954) and Borgnine's career was made.
Steiger was always bitter that he had been passed over for the movie role, but he ended up a star anyway.

I have been looking for this for years as I have the remake with Ernest Borgnine. Rod Stieger gave a touching performance while defending his choice of a gal to date. Nancy Marchand whom had appeared in 'The Sopranos' as well as 'ER' was convincing as the shy wallflower.

Simply put, I think this broadcast is better than the remake. Definitely worth watching and definitely have it in your collection of Rod Stieger films!